Automatically threading loom shuttle



May 28, 1929. w. A. TEBO AUTOMATICALLY THREADING LOOM SHUTTLE Filed Nov. 18, 1927 ATTORNEY Patented May 28, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFF1c-E.- A

' WILLIAM A. TEBO, F ANTHONY, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COBPORA- TION, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

AUTOMATICALLY THREADING LOOM SHUTTLE.

Application filed November 18, 1927. Serial-No. 234,251.

This invention relates to automatically threading shuttles for looms and is more particularly directed to the thread tensioning means for regulating the tension applied to 5 the thread during weaving.

It is now the ordinary practice to provide filling replenishing shuttles of the automatically threading type with some kind of a tension device for controlling the delivery of the thread from the shuttle during weavin In some such cases, pieces of felt or fa ric, or similar material are mounted adjacent the front end of the shuttle and act continuously upon the'thread during weaving, while in other cases the shuttle is provided with tensioning members which are yieldingly pressed towards each other .to place tension upon the thread passing between them. In weaving with certain kinds or characters of yarn or thread, such as, for instance, silk, artificial silk, rayon, 'or the like,it is desirable that the thread pass between tensioning members having opposedfaces of considerable extent so that during the weaving operation, vand owing to the swirl of the thread as it is withdrawn from the shuttle, the thread may not be thrown entirely from between thetensioning members. On the other hand, when the thread is continuously placed under tension by the faces of such tensioning members, it is liable to out or wear into the surface thereof by the constant attrition of the thread during weavin %)ne ofthe objects of the present invention is to provide tensioning members'ofthe extensive face type for engagement with the thread, to relieve the action of the tensioning members upon the thread as the shuttle passes 4 through the shed and to automatically restore the actionof the extensive faced tensioning members upon the thread as it enters the shuttle box, with the result that during the major portion of the operation of the shuttle the face portions of the tensioning members are relieved from the scoring efl'ect of the thread and yet when the shuttle enters the shuttle box sufiicient tension is placed upon the thread insure a proper lay of the thread through the shed and from the cloth '50.

selvage to the shuttle. 7

An important feature of the present invention therefore consists in an automatically threading loom shuttle having tensioningmembers which areunder the influence of yielding means normally tending to force them into engagement withthe thread passing between them and a controller for the tensioning members which acts in opposition to the normallyacting means to relieve the tension on the thread as the shuttle passes through the shed and then frees the tensioningmembers to the action of the normally actin means when the shuttle enters the shutt e box. Thetensionin'g members are preferably formed with extensive face thread-engaging portions, and such tensioning members are preferably mounted for movement towards and from each other in the longitudinally extending thread passage I0 leading from the bobbin chamber to the side delivery'eye. j

The invention and novel features thereof will best be made clear from the following 7 description and the accompanying drawings of one good form of means for carrying out the purposes of the invention.

7 In the drawings: h

Fig. 1 is a topplan view of an automatically threading loom shuttle provided with the resent invention;

' Fig.3 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a skeletonizedview of-the shuttle, showing more particularly in full lines the means for controlling the tension upon the thread;

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the tensioning members in their separated relation;

"ig. 5 is a horizontal sectional vlew of an 9 automatically threading shuttle provided with the present inventlon, showing the action of the controllingfimeans when the shuttle enters the box and tension is applied to the thread; and 95 Fig. 6 is a modified form of the tensionmg members which maybe advantageously employed in connection with the present invention.

The shuttle 1, which may be of the usual filling replenishing type, is provided with the bobbln chamber 2, the side delivery eye 3 and the longitudinally extending thread passage 4 between the bobbin chamber and side delivery eye, and, as shown in the present instance, of the invention, the longitudinally extending thread passage 4 is preferably formed in the threading block 6 which may be of usual construction.

Mounted in the longitudinally extending thread passage 4 are the thread tensioning members which are normally under the influence of yielding means tending to move the tensioning members towards each other and 'into engagement with the thread during weaving. In the present instance of the in-'.

vention, the tensioning members are shown as plates pivotally mounted in the longitudinal thread passage for movement towards and from each other under the influence of springs. As shown by Fig. 4, one of the tensioning members is formed by a base portion 7 having the lugs 8 provided with openings 9- which engage ,a fixedpin or axis 10 extending longitudinally of the thread passage. Ex-

tending upwardly from the base portion 7 of f one of the tensioning members is a plate 11 having a broad face, as indicated in Fig. 4, for engagement with the thread, and at its upper portion the plate 11 is turned outwardly at 12 and is provided with i1 downwardly ex-' tending lip 13 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 14 formedin the threading block to limit the swinging movement of the tensioning member laterally of the thread passage under the action of the spring 15.

i The tensioning member just described is Kprovided with a finger 16 having an upper 00k portion 17' and adapted to be engaged Q by the controlling means, as will presently appear.

The opposing tensioning member 1s formed 1 with an appropriate base portion 18 having end lugs 19 and openings 20, whereby the tenbers.

' plates 21 is provided with the downturned lips 22 which are adapted to engage a shoulder 23 formed at the side of the thread passage, to limit the movement of the tensioning member under the influence of its spring 24. The

springs 15 and 24 which act torelatively move the tensioning members normally towards each other, may be seated in suitable recesses formed in the side walls of the thread passage, and, if desired, the ends of the springs 15 and 24 may engage over pins 25 secured to the outer walls of the tensionin'g members to thereby maintain the springs in operative engagement with the respective tensioning members.

The two tensioning members may be Variviously described, and one of the tensioning 7 members is also provided with the upwardly extending finger 16.

From the construction thus far described it will be apparent that the two tensioning members in the present form of the invention are'pivotally supported and extend upwardly in the longitudinally extending thread pas sage topresentbroad contacting thread-engaging faces to the thread passing betweenthem, and the tensioning members, as previousl described, are under the influence of yiel ing means, such as the springs 15 and 24-, which normally act to relatively move the te'nsioning members in a direction to en age and clamp the thread passing between t em.

This general form of tensioning members has been found in practice to be especiall well adapted for weaving with certain kin s and characters of yarn, because the broad threaden a in faces of the tensionin members present surfaces sufliciently extensive to prevent the thread from bein thrown from between the tensioning mem ers during weav 1 a d I As hereinbefore indicated, the present in ventionconte'mplates means for controlling the tensioning members so that during the flight of the shuttle through the shed little or no tension may be exerted upon the thread; whereas, when the shuttle enters the shuttle box the tensioning members will be freed to the normally acting springs 15 and 24 to 1 apply the desired tension.

In the present instance of the invention, the controlling means is shown as an arm or lever 29 pivotally mounted at 30 in a recess 31 formed in the wall of the bobbin chamber, and the frontwardly extending end portion force them into contact with the thread and 32 of the arm 29 engages the finger 16 of one of the tensioning members. The arm 29 is provided with a bent portion 33, in the present instance, which is normally under the the finger 16, with the result that under normal conditions, with the shuttle not in the shuttle box, the tensioning members will be separated against the action of the normally acting springs 15-and 24.

The arm 29 is provided with an end portion 37 which extends through an opening 38 in the side wall of the shuttle and normally projects slightly beyond the side wall,'as indicated in Fig. 1, so that when the shuttle enters the shuttle box, the end 37 of the arm 29 will engage the wall'ot the shuttle box and be turned upon its pivotal support 30 thereby moving the end 32 of the arm outwardly or away from the engaging finger 16, with the result that the normally acting springs 15 and 24 will thereupon cause the tensioning members to move relatively towards each other and place tension upon the thread.

lVhen the shuttle is picked and is passing throu h the shed it is desirable that there be no su stantial tension upon the thread as it is delivered from the shuttle, and this is effected in the present instance of the inven tion by the movement of the arm 29 upon its pivotal support under the action of the spring 34 which, when the shuttle is out of the shuttle box, acts upon the finger 16 of: the tensioning member and relieves the tension on the thread in opposition to the normally acting springs 15 and 24'. When, however,

the shuttle enters the shuttle box, the end 37 of the arm 29 will be moved inwardly by engagement with the wall of the shuttle box,

as indicated in Fig. 5, whereupon the tensioning members will be freed to theoperation of their normally acting means, such 1 as the springs 15 and 24, to move towards each other, engage the thread, and place, the desired tension thereon as the shuttle enters the 'box and comes to rest'at the end of its From the construction described as one form of the present invention wherein tensioning members of the broad-faced type are which acts under the influence of the spring 34 to eifectively separate and release the tensioning members from engagement or substantial engagement with the thread, but when the shuttle enters the shuttle box and tension is desired to tension the thread properly in the shed and for theaction of the weft fork and parting mechanism, if any, the thread will be straightened out and all. kinks and other objectionable deflections of the thread will be overcome, because at this time 7 the controller frees the tensioning members 1 to the operation of the normally acting means which tends to move them into thread engagement. Of course, various modifications. and changes may be made in the details of the present invention without departing from the true scope thereof, and the tensioning members themselves may be varidusly formed to present broad thread-engaging 'faces to the thread for tensionin g means, but I believe this is the first instance in the art wherein separate tensioning members normally under the influence of means for moving them into thread engagement are controlled as hereinbefore described by controlling means which acts in opposition to the normally. acting means to relieve the tension on the thread as the shuttle passes through the shed, and then frees the tensioning members to the action of the normally acting means. 'Where the controller is constituted as an arm 29, as indicated, it is preferable to provide the wall of the bobbin chamber with a recess 39 in which the arm 29 may be housed so that it does not interfere with replenish- 5 ment of filling.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automaticallythreading loomshuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extending threading passage, tensioning members mounted in the threading passage, spring means normal- 1y acting upon the tensioning members to hold them in thread tensioning position, and

a controller acting on the tensioning members 5 a in opposition to the spring means to relieve the tension-on the thread during the passage of the shuttle through the shed and adapted to free the tensioning members to the normally acting spring means to enable said spring means to place tensionon the'thread as the shuttle enters the shuttle box.

2. In an automatically threading loom shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery'eye, and a longitudinally extending 5 threading passage, tensioning members mounted in the threading passage, spring means normally acting to move the tensioning. membersrelatively in a direction of approach to place tension on the thread passing between said members. meansfor limiting therelative'movement of said vmembers in said direction, and" a controller acting on the tensioning members in opposf tion to said spring means to relieve the tension on the thread during the passage of the shuttlethrough the shed, and means for moving the actuator to free the tensioning members to the normally act-ing'spring means to enable said spring means to place tension on the thread as the shuttle enters the shuttle box.

3. In an automatically threading loom I shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extending threading passage, two tensioning members mounted in the threading passage, spring means normally acting to move the tensioning members relatively in a direction of approach to place tension on the thread passing between said members, and a controller acting on the tensioning members in opposition to said spring meansto relieve the tension on the thread during the passage of the shuttle 1y acting to move one of the tensioning members relative tothe other to place tension on the thread passing between said members in.

the longitudinal thread passage, and control ling means for the tensioning members acting in opposition to said spring means to relieve the tension on the thread during the passage of the shuttle through the shed and to free the tensioning members to the action of the normally acting spring means as the shuttle enters the shuttle box.

.5. In an automatically threading loom shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extending thread passage, tensioning" members having thread deflecting surfaces and mounted for relative movement in the thread passage, yielding means normally acting to relatively move the tensioning members in a direction to. cause the thread deflecting surfaces to engage the thread passing between them, and a controller operatively connected with at least one of said tensioning members to move them relatively in a direction of separation to render said yielding means inefl'ectual to tension on the thread as the shuttle passes through the shed and restore them to the normally acting yielding means that the latter may act to move the tensioning members in thread tensioning position as the shuttle enters the shuttle box;

6. An automaticallv threading loom shut tle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extending thread passage, tensioning members between which the thread passes, spring means normally acting to cause said tensioning members to place tension on the thread passing between them, a controller for the tensioning members, a spring acting on the controller in opposition to said normally acting spring means to relieve tension on the thread as the shuttle passes through the shed, and means acting on the controller as the shuttle enters the shuttle box to restore the tensioning members tothe action of the normally acting spring means that the tensioning members may tension the thread. v

7 An automatically threading loom shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extending thread passage, tensioning members mounted for relative swingmg movement in the longitudinally extendingthread passage and between which the thread passes, means normally acting .to cause said tensioning members to place tension on the thread passing between them, and a controller for the tensioning members, a controller spring of greater power than the means normally acting on the tensioning members and operating in opposition to the normally acting means during the passage of the shuttle through the shed to relieve the tension on the thread. and means acting on thecontroller to free the tensioning members to the normally acting means as the shuttle enters the shuttle box.

8. An automatically threading loom shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye,

and a longitudinally extending thread passage, a pair of pivotally mounted tensioning members inthe longitudinal thread passage between which the thread passes, springs normally acting to move the tensioning mem- .bers relatively to engage and tension the thread,- and a controller acting on one of said tensioning members in opposition to the said springs to se arate said tensioning members and-relieve t e tension on the thread as the shuttle passes through the shed and constructed and arranged to release the said springs to place tension on the thread as the shuttle enters the shuttle box.

9. In an automatically threading loomshuttle having a bobbin chamber and side delivery eye, a threading block between the bobbin chamber and side delivery eye having a longitudinally extending thread passage,

broad faced tensioning members supported by the threading block in the longitudinal thread passage, normally acting yielding means for relatively moving one of the tensioning members to place tension upon the thread passing between them, and .a controller acting on one of the tensioning members in opposition to the said normally acting yielding means to relieve tension on the thread during the passage of 'the shuttle through the shed and constructed and ar ranged to free the tensioning member to the normally acting yielding means asthe shuttle enters the shuttle box that said normally acting means may then be eifective to place tension on the thread.

10. In an automatically threading loom shuttle having a bobbin chamber, a side delivery eye, and a longitudinally extendin thread passage, tensioning members mounte in the threading passage and provided with spring means for normally urging them to the thread tensioning position, a controller constructed to relieve the action of the tension members on the thread, and means for rendering said controller active during the passage of the shuttle and for rendering it inactive during the boxing of the shuttle where- In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM A. TEBO. 

